The opening sessions of the 30th Asian Cosmetic Committee meeting was held at Hotel Mex in Nay Pyi Taw Yesterday morning.
Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe delivered his opening remarks at the event. He said that agreement of ASEAN harmonized cosmetic regulatory scheme was signed in Cambodia in 2003 to ensure the safety and quality as well as oversee the claimed benefits of all cosmetic products marketed in ASEAN.
ASEAN member countries implemented Cosmetic Regulatory System in accordance with the scheme and Myanmar followed suit in 2011.
As some cosmetics contain Mercury, Hydroquinone, Steroids, Lead, Rhodamine B, etc., they cause untoward effects on Skin, Kidney and other organs.
As of April 2019, a total of 20,877 Cosmetics were notified with Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2060 cosmetic product were subjected to chemical analyses and found that 116 of them contain Mercury, Hydroquinone, Steroids, Lead, Rhodamine B, etc. This has been advertised to the public since 2014. As post marketing surveillance are being carried out . It is found that there are many cosmetics which are channelled through illegal border points. It is impossible for the Ministry of Health and Sport to take care of it alone and collective efforts of related ministries are need to tackle the problem.
Myanmar is committed to improve and strengthens cosmetic regulatory system in line with other ASEAN countries by promulgating the Cosmetic Law and drafting Cosmetic Law. The suggestion made at this meeting will be of great value on our way to have quality and safe cosmetics for the consumers and to strengthen the cosmetic trade between countries.
In this meeting, the participants will be able to share developments in cosmetic production and latest laboratory technology. Through this meeting, the roadmap on quality and safe cosmetic production will be drawn.
Then, Chairman for ASEAN Cosmetic Committee Meeting Ms. Vu Thi Hiep Of Viet Nam collaboration among ASEAN countries in terms of cosmetic related issues.
The meeting will be held from June 18th to 21st. This is the first time Myanmar has hosted the meeting and representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, Asian Cosmetic Regulators, experts from ASEAN Cosmetic Testing Laboratory Committee, representatives from ASEAN Cosmetic Association, Asian Cosmetic Industry and ASEAN Secretariat attended the event. ( Translated by Alphonsus)
